Clock generation circuit and charge pumping system

ABSTRACT

A clock generation circuit includes: a two-phase clock generation circuit configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based correspondingly on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal; an inverter configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal; and a delay circuit which is non-inverter-based and which is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal, the delay circuit having a predetermined delay sufficient to induce symmetry in the first and second phase clock signals such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/823,242, filed Nov. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/003,330, filed Jan. 21, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,831,860, issued Nov. 28, 2017, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/133,924, filed Mar. 16, 2015, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

A pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals includes two clock signals that do not concurrently have a predetermined logical value. Non-overlapping clock signals have been used in many circuit applications, such as a charge pump, a filter, or an amplifier having switched-capacitor configurations, or other applications. In many applications, a pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals is generated based on processing a single input clock signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a charge pump and a clock generation circuit illustrating an application of a pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a timing diagram of the pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals in FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an example clock generation circuit usable in the circuit depicted in FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a timing diagram of various signals in the clock generation circuit in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an inverter usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 3B-3D are schematic diagrams of various example delay circuit usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of another example clock generation circuit usable in the circuit depicted in FIG. 1A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a timing diagram of various signals in the clock generation circuit in FIG. 4A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of operating a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit depicted in FIG. 2A or FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a delay circuit and an inverter are used to generate a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal based on the same clock input signal. A two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit generates two non-overlapping clock signals based on the non-inverted clock signal and the inverted clock signal. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a delay of the delay circuit is set to improve the symmetry of the waveforms of the generated non-overlapping clock signals.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a charge pump 110 and a clock generation circuit 120 illustrating an application of a pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Charge pump 110 includes a supply voltage node 112, a pumped voltage node 114, a first clock input node 116, and a second clock input node 118. Charge pump 110 is configured to generate a pumped voltage VPP at pumped voltage node 114 based on the energy provided from supply voltage VDD at supply voltage node 112 and controlled by clock signal CLKφ1 at first clock input node 116 and clock signal CLKφ2 at second clock input node 118.

Clock generation circuit 120 includes an input clock node 122, a first output clock node 124, and a second output clock node 126. Clock generation circuit 120 is configured to generate clock signal CLKφ1 at first output clock node 124 and clock signal CLKφ2 at second output clock node 126 based on an input clock signal CLKIN. First output clock node 124 is electrically coupled with first clock input node 116, and second output clock node 126 is electrically coupled with second clock input node 118. In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency and a corresponding period, which is an inverse of the predetermined frequency. In some embodiments, clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 also have the predetermined frequency.

FIG. 1B is a timing diagram of the pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 in FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments. During a clock cycle 130 from time t4 to time t10, clock signal CLKφ1 is at a logic high from time t4 to time t6 and at a logic low from time t6 to time t10; and clock signal CLKφ2 is at a logic high from time t7 to time t9 and at a logic low from time t4 to time t7 and from time t9 to t10. Clock cycle 130 has a duration T that equals the inverse of the predetermined frequency of input clock signal CLKIN.

During the clock cycle 130, the portion that clock signal CLKφ1 is at logic high does not overlap the portion that clock signal CLKφ2 is at logic high. During the clock cycle 130, clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 are both logically low from time t6 to t7 and having a duration T_(L1) and are both logically low from time t9 to t10 and having a duration T_(L2). In some embodiments, a difference between duration T_(L1) and duration T_(L2) is usable to measure the symmetry between clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2. The smaller the difference between duration T_(L1) and duration T_(L2), the more symmetry there is between clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2. In some embodiments, the more symmetry between clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2, the better the power conversion efficiency of charge pump 110.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an example clock generation circuit 200 usable in the circuit depicted in FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments. Components that are the same or similar to those in FIG. 1A are given the same reference numbers, and detailed description thereof is thus omitted.

Clock generation circuit 200 includes an input clock node 202, a first output clock node 204, and a second output clock node 206. Input clock node 202 corresponds to input clock node 122 and is configured to receive input clock signal CLKIN. First output clock node 204 corresponds to first output clock node 124 and is configured to output a first phase clock signal CLKφ1. Second output clock node 206 corresponds to second output clock node 126 and is configured to output a second phase clock signal CLKφ2.

Clock generation circuit 200 further includes a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210, a first inverter 222, and a first delay circuit 224. Two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 is configured to generate first phase clock signal CLKφ1 and second phase clock signal CLKφ2 based on a non-inverted clock signal CLKP and an inverted clock signal CLKN. Inverter 222 is configured to generate inverted clock signal CLKN based on input clock signal CLKIN. Delay circuit 224 is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal CLKP based on input clock signal CLKIN. In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency Freq (not shown).

Inverter 222 is configured to cause a phase-inverted delay D_(N) (FIG. 2B) between the output terminal 222 b of inverter 222 and input terminal 222 a of inverter 222. Delay circuit 224 is configured to cause a non-phase-inverted delay D_(P) (FIG. 2B) between output terminal 224 b of delay circuit 224 and input terminal 224 a of delay circuit 224. In some embodiments, a difference between the phase-inverted delay D_(N) and the non-phase-inverted delay D_(P) is within a first predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, the first predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of an inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq.

Two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 includes NAND gates 212 and 213, delay circuits 214 and 215, and inverters 216 and 217. NAND gate 212 includes a first input terminal 212 a, a second input terminal 212 b, and an output terminal 212 c. NAND gate 213 includes a first input terminal 213 a, a second input terminal 213 b, and an output terminal 213 c. Delay circuit 214 includes an input terminal 214 a and an output terminal 214 b. Delay circuit 215 includes an input terminal 215 a and an output terminal 215 b. Inverter 216 includes an input terminal 216 a and an output terminal 216 b. Inverter 217 includes an input terminal 217 a and an output terminal 217 b.

First input terminal 212 a of NAND gate 212 is configured to receive non-inverted clock signal CLKP. Output terminal 212 c of NAND gate 212 is electrically coupled with input terminal 214 a of delay circuit 214. Delay circuit 214 is configured to generate a signal S1 at output terminal 214 b of delay circuit 214. Input terminal 216 a of inverter 216 is electrically coupled with output terminal 214 b of delay circuit 214. Output terminal 216 b of inverter 216 is electrically coupled with first output clock node 204.

First input terminal 213 a of NAND gate 213 is configured to receive inverted clock signal CLKN. Output terminal 213 c of NAND gate 213 is electrically coupled with input terminal 215 a of delay circuit 215. Delay circuit 215 is configured to generate a signal S2 at output terminal 215 b of delay circuit 215. Input terminal 217 a of inverter 217 is electrically coupled with output terminal 215 b of delay circuit 215. Output terminal 217 b of inverter 217 is electrically coupled with second output clock node 206.

Second input terminal 212 b of NAND gate 212 is electrically coupled with output terminal 215 b of delay circuit 215 and is configured to receive signal S2. Second input terminal 213 b of NAND gate 213 is electrically coupled with output terminal 214 b of delay circuit 214 and is configured to receive signal S1.

Delay circuit 214 includes 2N inverters electrically coupled in series between input terminal 214 a and output terminal 214 b. Delay circuit 215 includes 2N inverters electrically coupled in series between input terminal 215 a and output terminal 215 b. N is a positive, non-zero integer.

Moreover, inverter 222 includes an input terminal 222 a and an output terminal 222 b, and delay circuit 224 includes an input terminal 224 a and an output terminal 224 b. Input terminal 222 a of inverter 222 and input terminal 224 a of delay circuit 224 are electrically coupled with input clock node 202. Output terminal 224 b of delay circuit 224 is electrically coupled with first input terminal 212 a of NAND gate 212. Output terminal 222 b of inverter 222 is electrically coupled with first input terminal 213 a of NAND gate 213.

FIG. 2B is a timing diagram of various signals, including signals CLKIN, CLKP, CLKN, CLKφ1, and CLKφ2, in the clock generation circuit 200 in FIG. 2A in accordance with one or more embodiments.

In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency Freq (not shown). An inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq is a time duration T of a clock cycle period of input clock signal CLKIN.

At time t0, clock signal CLKIN transitions from logically low to logically high. In response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t0, at time t1, delay circuit 224 causes non-inverted clock signal CLKP to transition from logically low to logically high. Also, in response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t0, at time t2, inverter 222 causes inverted clock signal CLKN to transition from logically high to logically low. Delay circuit 224 causes a non-phase-inverted delay D_(P) between time t1 and time t0. Inverter 222 causes a phase-inverted delay D_(N) between time t2 and time t0. In some embodiments, a difference between the phase-inverted delay D_(N) and the non-phase-inverted delay D_(P) is within a first predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, predetermined tolerance is 1.0 of T, the inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq.

At time t3, in response to the rising edge of signal CLKP at time t1 and the falling edge of signal CLKN at time t2, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 causes clock signal CLKφ2 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t4, in response to the rising edge of signal CLKP at time t1 and the falling edge of signal CLKN at time t2, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 causes clock signal CLKφ1 to transition from logically low to logically high.

At time t5, clock signal CLKIN transitions from logically high to logically low. In response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t5, delay circuit 224 causes non-inverted clock signal CLKP to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, in response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t5, inverter 222 causes inverted clock signal CLKN to transition from logically low to logically high. At time t6, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 then causes clock signal CLKφ1 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t7, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 then causes clock signal CLKφ2 to transition from logically low to logically high.

At time t8, clock signal CLKIN transitions from logically low to logically high. In response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t8, delay circuit 224 causes non-inverted clock signal CLKP to transition from logically low to logically high. Also, in response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t8, inverter 222 causes inverted clock signal CLKN to transition from logically high to logically low. At time t9, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 then causes clock signal CLKφ2 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t10, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 then causes clock signal CLKφ1 to transition from logically low to logically high.

In response to a clock cycle 232 from time t0 to time t8, clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 form a clock cycle 234 from time t4 to time t10. Clock cycle 232 has a time duration T, and clock cycle 234 has the same time duration T. During the clock cycle 234, clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2 are both logically low from time t6 to t7 and having a duration T_(L1) and are both logically low from time t9 to t10 and having a duration T_(L2). In some embodiments, a difference between duration T_(L1) and duration T_(L2) is usable to measure the symmetry between clock signals CLKφ1 and CLKφ2. In some embodiments, delay circuit 224 is configured to have a predetermined delay D_(P) sufficient to cause a difference between duration T_(L1) and duration T_(L2) to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, the predetermined tolerance between duration T_(L1) and duration T_(L2) is 1.0% of T, which is the inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram an inverter 310 usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit 200 depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Inverter 310 includes a P-type transistor 312 and an N-type transistor 314 electrically coupled in series between a power node 302 and a reference node 304. Power node 302 is configured to carry a supply voltage VDD, and reference node 304 is configured to carry a reference voltage VSS. A gate 312 g of transistor 312 and a gate 314 g of transistor 314 are electrically coupled with an input terminal 316 of inverter 310. A drain 312 d of transistor 312 and a drain 314 d of transistor 314 are electrically coupled with output terminal 318 of inverter 310. A source 312 s of transistor 312 is electrically coupled with power node 302. A source 314 s of transistor 314 is electrically coupled with reference node 304. In some embodiments, input terminal 316 corresponds to input terminal 222 a in FIG. 2A, and output terminal 318 corresponds to output terminal 222 b.

In some embodiments, P-type transistor 312 has a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio. In some embodiments, N-type transistor 314 has a second W/L ratio.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram an example delay circuit 320 usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit 200 depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Delay circuit 320 includes a P-type transistor 322 and an N-type transistor 324 electrically coupled in parallel between an input terminal 326 of delay circuit 320 and an output terminal 328 of delay circuit 320. In some embodiments, input terminal 326 corresponds to input terminal 224 a in FIG. 2A, and output terminal 328 corresponds to output terminal 224 b. A drain 322 d of transistor 322 and a drain 324 d of transistor 324 are electrically coupled with output terminal 328 of delay circuit 320. A source 322 s of transistor 322 and a source 324 s of transistor 324 are electrically coupled with input terminal 326 of delay circuit 320. In some embodiments, the placement of source 322 s and drain 322 d is interchangeable. In some embodiments, the placement of source 324 s and drain 324 d is interchangeable.

A gate 322 g of P-type transistor 322 is configured to receive a signal sufficient to turn on P-type transistor 322. In some embodiments, gate 322 g of P-type transistor 322 is electrically coupled with reference node 304 (FIG. 3A). A gate 324 g of N-type transistor 324 is configured to receive a signal sufficient to turn on N-type transistor 324. In some embodiments, gate 324 g of N-type transistor 324 is electrically coupled with power node 302 (FIG. 3A).

In some embodiments, P-type transistor 322 has a third W/L ratio. In some embodiments, N-type transistor 324 has a fourth W/L ratio. In some embodiments, third W/L ratio is less than the first W/L ratio of P-type transistor 312. In some embodiments, third W/L ratio is half of the first W/L ratio of P-type transistor 312. In some embodiments, fourth W/L ratio is less than the second W/L ratio of N-type transistor 314. In some embodiments, fourth W/L ratio is half of the second W/L ratio of N-type transistor 314.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram another example delay circuit 330 usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit 200 depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Delay circuit 330 includes P-type transistors 332 and 333 and N-type transistors 334 and 335. P-type transistors 332 and 333 are electrically coupled in series between and an input terminal 336 of delay circuit 330 and an output terminal 338 of delay circuit 330. N-type transistors 334 and 335 are electrically coupled in series between and input terminal 336 of delay circuit 330 and output terminal 338 of delay circuit 330. In some embodiments, input terminal 336 corresponds to input terminal 224 a in FIG. 2A, and output terminal 338 corresponds to output terminal 224 b.

A source 332 s of transistor 332 is electrically coupled with input terminal 326. A drain 332 d of transistor 332 is electrically coupled with a source 333 s of transistor 333. A drain 333 d of transistor 333 is electrically coupled with output terminal 338. A source 334 s of transistor 334 is electrically coupled with input terminal 326. A drain 334 d of transistor 334 is electrically coupled with a source 335 s of transistor 335. A drain 335 d of transistor 335 is electrically coupled with output terminal 338. In some embodiments, the placement of source 332 s and drain 332 d or source 333 s and drain 333 d is interchangeable. In some embodiments, the placement of source 334 s and drain 334 d or source 335 s and drain 335 d is interchangeable.

A gate 332 g of P-type transistor 332 and a gate 333 g of P-type transistor 333 are configured to receive a signal sufficient to turn on P-type transistors 332 and 333. In some embodiments, gates 332 g and 333 g of P-type transistors 322 and 333 are electrically coupled with reference node 304 (FIG. 3A). A gate 334 g of N-type transistor 334 and a gate 335 g of N-type transistor 335 are configured to receive a signal sufficient to turn on N-type transistors 334 and 335. In some embodiments, gates 334 g and 335 g of N-type transistors 324 and 335 are electrically coupled with power node 302 (FIG. 3A).

In some embodiments, P-type transistors 332 and 333 has a fifth W/L ratio. In some embodiments, N-type transistors 334 and 335 has a sixth W/L ratio. In some embodiments, fifth W/L ratio is less than the first W/L ratio of P-type transistor 312. In some embodiments, fifth W/L ratio is the same as the first W/L ratio of P-type transistor 312. In some embodiments, sixth W/L ratio is less than the second W/L ratio of N-type transistor 314. In some embodiments, sixth W/L ratio the same as the second W/L ratio of N-type transistor 314.

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram another example delay circuit 340 usable in a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit 200 depicted in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Delay circuit 340 is a resistance-capacitance delay circuit including a capacitive device 342 and a resistive device 344. Capacitive device 342 is electrically coupled between input terminal 346 of delay circuit 340 and reference node 304. Resistive device 344 is electrically coupled between input terminal 346 of delay circuit 340 and an output terminal 348 of delay circuit 340. In some embodiments, input terminal 346 corresponds to input terminal 224 a in FIG. 2A, and output terminal 348 corresponds to output terminal 224 b.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of another example clock generation circuit 400 usable in the circuit depicted in FIG. 1A in accordance with one or more embodiments. Components in FIG. 4A that are the same or similar to those in FIG. 2A are given the same reference numbers, and detailed description thereof if thus omitted.

Compared with clock generation circuit 200, clock generation circuit 400 replaces two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 with two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410. Clock generation circuit 400 includes a first output clock node 404 and a second output clock node 406. Two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 is configured to generate a first phase clock signal CLKφ3 and a second phase clock signal CLKφ4 based on a non-inverted clock signal CLKP and an inverted clock signal CLKN. Signals CLKP and CLKN are generated by delay circuit 224 and inverter 222 based on input clock signal CLKIN. In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency Freq (not shown).

Two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 includes NOR gates 412 and 413 and delay circuits 414 and 415. NOR gate 412 includes a first input terminal 412 a, a second input terminal 412 b, and an output terminal 412 c. NOR gate 413 includes a first input terminal 413 a, a second input terminal 413 b, and an output terminal 413 c. Delay circuit 414 corresponds to delay circuit 214 and includes an input terminal 414 a and an output terminal 414 b. Delay circuit 415 corresponds to delay circuit 215 and includes an input terminal 415 a and an output terminal 415 b.

First input terminal 412 a of NOR gate 412 is configured to receive non-inverted clock signal CLKP. Output terminal 412 c of NOR gate 412 is electrically coupled with input terminal 414 a of delay circuit 414. Delay circuit 414 is configured to generate a signal S3 at output terminal 414 b of delay circuit 414. Output terminal 414 b is electrically coupled with first output clock node 404.

First input terminal 413 a of NOR gate 413 is configured to receive inverted clock signal CLKN. Output terminal 413 c of NOR gate 413 is electrically coupled with input terminal 415 a of delay circuit 415. Delay circuit 415 is configured to generate a signal S4 at output terminal 415 b of delay circuit 415. Output terminal 415 b is electrically coupled with second output clock node 406.

Second input terminal 412 b of NOR gate 412 is electrically coupled with output terminal 415 b of delay circuit 415 and is configured to receive signal S4. Second input terminal 413 b of NOR gate 413 is electrically coupled with output terminal 414 b of delay circuit 414 and is configured to receive signal S3.

Delay circuit 414 corresponds to delay circuit 214 and includes 2N inverters electrically coupled in series between input terminal 414 a and output terminal 414 b. Delay circuit 415 corresponds to delay circuit 215 and includes 2N inverters electrically coupled in series between input terminal 415 a and output terminal 415 b. N is a positive, non-zero integer.

FIG. 4B is a timing diagram of various signals, including signals CLKIN, CLKP, CLKN, CLKφ3, and CLKφ4, in the clock generation circuit 400 in FIG. 4A in accordance with one or more embodiments. Components that are the same or similar to those in FIG. 2B are given the same reference numbers, and detailed description thereof is thus omitted.

In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency Freq (not shown). An inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq is a time duration T of a clock cycle period of input clock signal CLKIN.

At time t3, in response to the rising edge of signal CLKP at time t1 and the falling edge of signal CLKN at time t2, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 causes clock signal CLKφ3 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t4, in response to the rising edge of signal CLKP at time t1 and the falling edge of signal CLKN at time t2, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 causes clock signal CLKφ4 to transition from logically low to logically high.

At time t5, clock signal CLKIN transitions from logically high to logically low. In response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t5, delay circuit 224 causes non-inverted clock signal CLKP to transition from logically high to logically low, and inverter 222 causes inverted clock signal CLKN to transition from logically low to logically high. At time t6, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 then causes clock signal CLKφ4 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t7, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 then causes clock signal CLKφ3 to transition from logically low to logically high.

At time t8, clock signal CLKIN transitions from logically low to logically high. In response to the transition of clock signal CLKIN at time t8, delay circuit 224 causes non-inverted clock signal CLKP to transition from logically low to logically high, and inverter 222 causes inverted clock signal CLKN to transition from logically high to logically low. At time t9, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 then causes clock signal CLKφ3 to transition from logically high to logically low. Also, at time t10, two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 410 then causes clock signal CLKφ4 to transition from logically low to logically high.

In response to a clock cycle 432 from time t0 to time t8, clock signals CLKφ3 and CLKφ4 form a clock cycle 434 from time t4 to time t10. Clock cycle 432 has a time duration T, and clock cycle 434 has the same time duration T. During the clock cycle 434, clock signals CLKφ3 and CLKφ4 are both logically low from time t6 to t7 and having a duration T_(L3) and are both logically low from time t9 to t10 and having a duration T_(L4). In some embodiments, a difference between duration T_(L3) and duration T_(L4) is usable to measure the symmetry between clock signals CLKφ3 and CLKφ4. In some embodiments, delay circuit 224 is configured to have a predetermined delay D_(P) sufficient to cause a difference between duration T_(L3) and duration T_(L4) to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, the predetermined tolerance between duration T_(L3) and duration T_(L4) is 1.0% of T, which is the inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 500 of operating a clock generation circuit, such as the clock generation circuit depicted in FIG. 2A or FIG. 4A, to generate a pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals in accordance with some embodiments. It is understood that additional operations may be performed before, during, and/or after the method 500 depicted in FIG. 5, and that some other processes may only be briefly described herein.

The method 500 begins with operation 510, where an inverted clock signal CLKN is generated by an inverter 222 based on an input clock signal CLKIN. In some embodiments, input clock signal CLKIN has a predetermined frequency Freq.

The method 500 proceeds to operation 520, where a non-inverted clock signal CLKP is generated by a delay circuit 224 based on input clock signal CLKIN. The delay circuit 224 has a predetermined delay D_(P).

The method 500 proceeds to operation 530, where a first phase clock signal CLKφ1 or CLKφ3 and a second phase clock signal CLKφ2 or CLKφ4 of the pair of two-phase non-overlapping clock signals are generated by a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit 210 or 410. The first phase clock signal CLKφ1 or CLKφ3 and the second phase clock signal CLKφ2 or CLKφ4 correspond to a same logical value during a first duration T_(L1) or T_(L3) and a second duration and T_(L2) or T_(L4) within a clock cycle 234 or 434. The first phase clock signal CLKφ1 or CLKφ3 and the second phase clock signal CLKφ2 or CLKφ4 correspond to different logical values during the remainder of the clock cycle 234 or 434. The clock cycle 234 or 434 has a duration T, which is an inverse of the predetermined frequency Freq.

In some embodiments, the predetermined delay D_(P) of delay circuit 224 is set to be sufficient to cause a difference between the first duration T_(L1) or T_(L3) and the second duration T_(L2) or T_(L4) to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In some embodiments, the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration T of the clock cycle 234 or 434.

Operation 530 further includes performing generating a first signal S1 or S3 based on performing a first logical operation on the non-inverted clock signal CLKP and a second signal S2 or S4 (operation 532); and generating the second signal S2 or S4 based on performing a second logical operation on the inverted clock signal CLKN and the first signal S1 or S3. In some embodiments, the first logical operation and the second logical operation are both NAND operations or are both NOR operations.

In some embodiments, the generating first signal S1 or S3 is performed by a logical gate 212 or 412 and a delay circuit 214 or 414. In some embodiments, the generating second signal S2 or S4 is performed by a logical gate 213 or 413 and a delay circuit 215 or 415. In some embodiments, logical gate 212 or 412 and logical gate 213 and 413 correspond to a same logical gate configuration. In some embodiments, delay circuit 214 or 414 and delay circuit 215 or 415 correspond to a same delay circuit configuration.

In an embodiment, a clock generation circuit includes: a two-phase clock generation circuit configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based correspondingly on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal; an inverter configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal; and a delay circuit which is non-inverter-based and which is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal, the delay circuit having a predetermined delay sufficient to induce symmetry in the first and second phase clock signals such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; and wherein: the inverter includes a first P-type transistor and a first N-type transistor, the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled in series, gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input terminal of the inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output terminal of the inverter; the delay circuit includes a second P-type transistor and a second N-type transistor, the second P-type transistor and the second N-type transistor being coupled in parallel between input and output terminals of the delay circuit; the first P-type transistor has a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio; the first N-type transistor has a second W/L ratio; and at least one of the following conditions is true, (A) the second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio less than the first W/L ratio, or (B) the second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio less than the second W/L ratio. In an embodiment, the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond (A) to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a cycle of the input clock signal, and (B) to different logical values during a remainder of the input clock signal; and a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In an embodiment, the input clock signal has a predetermined frequency; a period of the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of the input clock signal. In an embodiment, the delay circuit includes a plurality of P-type transistors and a plurality of N-type transistors, the plurality of P-type transistors being coupled in series between an input terminal of the delay circuit and an output terminal of the delay circuit, and the plurality of N-type transistors being coupled in series between and output terminals of the delay circuit. In an embodiment, the delay circuit includes: a resistance-capacitance delay circuit. In an embodiment, the resistance-capacitance delay circuit includes: a resistive device connected between an input and an output of the delay circuit; and a capacitive device connected between the input of the delay circuit and a reference voltage. The clock generation circuit of claim 1, the delay circuit includes a pass gate circuit.

In an embodiment, a charge pumping system includes: a clock generation circuit which has an input terminal and first and second output terminals providing corresponding first and second phase clock signals, and which includes (A) a first delay circuit, a first logical gate and a second delay circuit coupled in series along a first path between the input terminal and a first node, the first path including a first input electrode of the first logical gate, a version of the first phase clock signal appearing the first node, and (B) a first inverter, a second logical gate and a third delay circuit coupled in series along a second path between the input terminal and a second node, the second path including a first input electrode of the second logical gate, a version of the second phase clock signal appearing on the second node, wherein the first logical gate also has a second input electrode coupled to the second node, and the second logical gate also has a second input electrode coupled to the first node; and a charge pump configured to generate a pumped voltage according to the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal; and wherein: the first inverter and the first delay circuit are configured to cause corresponding phase-inverted and non-phase-inverted delays of an input clock signal which induce symmetry in the second phase clock signal relative to the first phase clock signal such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; the first inverter includes a first P-type transistor and a first N-type transistor coupled in series, gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input node of the first inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output node of the first inverter; the first delay circuit includes a second P-type transistor and a second N-type transistor coupled in parallel between an input node of the third delay circuit and an output node of the third delay circuit; the first P-type transistor has a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio; the first N-type transistor has a second W/L ratio; and at least one of the following conditions is true, (1): the second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio less than the first W/L ratio, or (2) the second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio less than the second W/L ratio. In an embodiment, the first delay circuit is coupled between the input terminal and a third node; the first inverter is coupled between the input terminal and a fourth node; the first input electrode of the first logical gate is coupled to the third node; the first logical gate is coupled between the third node and a fifth node; the first input electrode of the second logical gate is coupled to the fourth node; the second logical gate is coupled between the fourth node and a sixth node; the second delay circuit is coupled between the fifth node and the first node; and the third delay circuit is coupled between the fourth node and the second node. In an embodiment, the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond (A) to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a cycle of the input clock signal, and (B) to different logical values during a remainder of the input clock signal; and a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In an embodiment, the input clock signal has a predetermined frequency; a period of the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of the input clock signal. In an embodiment, the first delay circuit is non-inverter-based. In an embodiment, the first delay circuit includes a pass gate circuit. In an embodiment, the first delay circuit includes a resistance-capacitance delay circuit. In an embodiment, the charge pumping system further includes one of the following conditions: each of the first logical gate and the second logical gate are NAND gates; or each of the first logical gate and the second logical gate are NOR gates.

In an embodiment, a method (of generating first and second phase clock signals) includes: generating, by an inverter which has a first predetermined delay and receives an input clock signal having a predetermined frequency, an inverted clock signal, the inverter including a first P-type transistor having a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio, and a first N-type transistor having a second W/L ratio and coupled in series with the first P-type transistor; gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input terminal of the inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output terminal of the inverter, and the first predetermined delay being based on the first and second W/L ratios; generating, by a first delay circuit which has a second predetermined delay and receives the input clock signal, a non-inverted clock signal, the first delay circuit including a second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio, and a second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio, the second P-type transistor and the second N-type transistor being coupled in parallel between input and output terminals of the first delay circuit, and the second predetermined delay being based on the third and fourth W/L ratios; and generating, by a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit, the first and second phase clock signals based on the non-inverted clock signal and the inverted clock signal; and wherein: the first and second predetermined delays induce symmetry in the second phase clock signal relative to the first phase clock signal such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; and the first predetermined delay and the second predetermined delay are related based on at least one of the following conditions being true, (A) the third W/L ratio is less than the first W/L ratio, or (B) the fourth W/L ratio is less than the second W/L ratio.

In an embodiment, the first and second phase clock signals correspond to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a clock cycle; the first and second phase clock signals correspond to different logical values during a remainder of input clock signal; the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the second predetermined delay is set to be sufficient to cause a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance. In an embodiment, the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of input clock signal. In an embodiment, the generating the first and second phase clock signals includes: generating a first signal based on performing a first logical operation on the non-inverted clock signal and a second signal; and generating the second signal based on performing a second logical operation on the inverted clock signal and the first signal, signal; and each of the first and second logical operations is a NAND operation or each of the first and second logical operations is a NOR operation. In an embodiment, the generating a first signal is performed by a first logical gate and a second delay circuit; the generating the second signal is performed by a second logical gate and a third delay circuit; the first and second logical gates correspond to a same logical gate configuration; and the second and third delay circuits correspond to a same delay circuit configuration.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A clock generation circuit comprising: a two-phase clock generation circuit configured to generate a first phase clock signal and a second phase clock signal based correspondingly on a non-inverted clock signal and an inverted clock signal; an inverter configured to generate the inverted clock signal based on an input clock signal; and a delay circuit which is non-inverter-based and which is configured to generate the non-inverted clock signal based on the input clock signal, the delay circuit having a predetermined delay sufficient to induce symmetry in the first and second phase clock signals such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; and wherein: the inverter includes a first P-type transistor and a first N-type transistor, the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled in series, gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input terminal of the inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output terminal of the inverter; the delay circuit includes a second P-type transistor and a second N-type transistor, the second P-type transistor and the second N-type transistor being coupled in parallel between input and output terminals of the delay circuit; the first P-type transistor has a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio; the first N-type transistor has a second W/L ratio; and at least one of the following conditions is true: the second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio less than the first W/L ratio; or the second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio less than the second W/L ratio.
 2. The clock generation circuit of claim 1, wherein: the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond: to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a cycle of the input clock signal; and to different logical values during a remainder of the input clock signal; and a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
 3. The clock generation circuit of claim 2, wherein: the input clock signal has a predetermined frequency; a period of the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of the input clock signal.
 4. The clock generation circuit of claim 1, wherein: the delay circuit includes a plurality of P-type transistors and a plurality of N-type transistors, the plurality of P-type transistors being coupled in series between an input terminal of the delay circuit and an output terminal of the delay circuit, and the plurality of N-type transistors being coupled in series between and output terminals of the delay circuit.
 5. The clock generation circuit of claim 1, wherein the delay circuit includes: a resistance-capacitance delay circuit.
 6. The clock generation circuit of claim 5, wherein the resistance-capacitance delay circuit includes: a resistive device connected between an input and an output of the delay circuit; and a capacitive device connected between the input of the delay circuit and a reference voltage.
 7. The clock generation circuit of claim 1, the delay circuit includes: a pass gate circuit.
 8. A charge pumping system comprising: a clock generation circuit which has an input terminal and first and second output terminals providing corresponding first and second phase clock signals, and which includes: a first delay circuit, a first logical gate and a second delay circuit coupled in series along a first path between the input terminal and a first node, the first path including a first input electrode of the first logical gate, a version of the first phase clock signal appearing the first node; and a first inverter, a second logical gate and a third delay circuit coupled in series along a second path between the input terminal and a second node, the second path including a first input electrode of the second logical gate, a version of the second phase clock signal appearing on the second node; the first logical gate also having a second input electrode coupled to the second node; and the second logical gate also having a second input electrode coupled to the first node; and a charge pump configured to generate a pumped voltage according to the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal; and wherein: the first inverter and the first delay circuit are configured to cause corresponding phase-inverted and non-phase-inverted delays of an input clock signal which induce symmetry in the second phase clock signal relative to the first phase clock signal such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; the first inverter includes a first P-type transistor and a first N-type transistor coupled in series, gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input node of the first inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output node of the first inverter; the first delay circuit includes a second P-type transistor and a second N-type transistor coupled in parallel between an input node of the third delay circuit and an output node of the third delay circuit; the first P-type transistor has a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio; the first N-type transistor has a second W/L ratio; and at least one of the following conditions is true: the second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio less than the first W/L ratio; or the second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio less than the second W/L ratio.
 9. The charge pumping system of claim 8, wherein: the first delay circuit is coupled between the input terminal and a third node; the first inverter is coupled between the input terminal and a fourth node; the first input electrode of the first logical gate is coupled to the third node; the first logical gate is coupled between the third node and a fifth node; the first input electrode of the second logical gate is coupled to the fourth node; the second logical gate is coupled between the fourth node and a sixth node; the second delay circuit is coupled between the fifth node and the first node; and the third delay circuit is coupled between the fourth node and the second node.
 10. The charge pumping system of claim 8, wherein: the first phase clock signal and the second phase clock signal correspond: to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a cycle of the input clock signal; and to different logical values during a remainder of the input clock signal; and a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
 11. The charge pumping system of claim 10, wherein: the input clock signal has a predetermined frequency; a period of the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of the input clock signal.
 12. The charge pumping system of claim 8, wherein: the first delay circuit is non-inverter-based.
 13. The charge pumping system of claim 12, wherein the first delay circuit includes: a pass gate circuit.
 14. The charge pumping system of claim 12, wherein the first delay circuit includes: a resistance-capacitance delay circuit.
 15. The charge pumping system of claim 14, further comprising one of the following conditions: each of the first logical gate and the second logical gate are NAND gates; or each of the first logical gate and the second logical gate are NOR gates.
 16. A method of generating first and second phase clock signals, the method comprising: generating, by an inverter which has a first predetermined delay and receives an input clock signal having a predetermined frequency, an inverted clock signal, the inverter including: a first P-type transistor having a first channel width versus channel length (W/L) ratio; and a first N-type transistor having a second W/L ratio and coupled in series with the first P-type transistor; gates of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an input terminal of the inverter, and drains of the first P-type transistor and the first N-type transistor being coupled with an output terminal of the inverter; and the first predetermined delay being based on the first and second W/L ratios; generating, by a first delay circuit which has a second predetermined delay and receives the input clock signal, a non-inverted clock signal, the first delay circuit including: a second P-type transistor having a third W/L ratio; and a second N-type transistor having a fourth W/L ratio; the second P-type transistor and the second N-type transistor being coupled in parallel between input and output terminals of the first delay circuit; and the second predetermined delay being based on the third and fourth W/L ratios; and generating, by a two-phase non-overlapping clock generation circuit, the first and second phase clock signals based on the non-inverted clock signal and the inverted clock signal; and wherein: the first and second predetermined delays induce symmetry in the second phase clock signal relative to the first phase clock signal such that durational midpoints of overlapping opposite phases of the first and second phase clock signals are substantially aligned; and the first predetermined delay and the second predetermined delay are related based on at least one of the following conditions being true: the third W/L ratio is less than the first W/L ratio; or the fourth W/L ratio is less than the second W/L ratio.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the first and second phase clock signals correspond to a same logical value during a first duration and a second duration within a clock cycle; the first and second phase clock signals correspond to different logical values during a remainder of input clock signal; the input clock signal has a duration equal to an inverse of the predetermined frequency; and the second predetermined delay is set to be sufficient to cause a difference between the first duration and the second duration to be less than a predetermined tolerance.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined tolerance is 1.0% of the duration of input clock signal.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein: the generating the first and second phase clock signals includes: generating a first signal based on performing a first logical operation on the non-inverted clock signal and a second signal; and generating the second signal based on performing a second logical operation on the inverted clock signal and the first signal, signal; and each of the first and second logical operations is a NAND operation or each of the first and second logical operations is a NOR operation.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the generating a first signal is performed by a first logical gate and a second delay circuit; the generating the second signal is performed by a second logical gate and a third delay circuit; the first and second logical gates correspond to a same logical gate configuration; and the second and third delay circuits correspond to a same delay circuit configuration. 